It’s time to cozy up to the fireplace, roast some chestnuts, and crank up the Christmas carols. ‘Tis the season to be jolly! I hope you are enjoying this holiday season, and have the opportunity to be with the ones you love… and maybe get in a little knitting time. 🙂

Haven’t purchased your 2012 calendar yet? How about the 2012 Calendar of Hope from Fitter Knitter. The proceeds from the sale of these calendars benefit Army of Women, who seek to go beyond finding a cure for breast cancer, and focus on finding the cause.

The “Merry Knitmas: Holiday Favorites for the Knitter” 2-CD set may really be a possible gift option, but if it were, it would feature knitterly holiday tunes like, Let Me Knit! Let Me Knit! Let Me Knit, A Knitters 12 Days of Christmas, Fleece Used to Baa, and We Wish You A Merry Knitmas, among many others. And of course, feel free to join in and sing along with Christmas Knits.

Lyrics to this week’s song (based on the Christmas classic “Jingle Bells”)

Christmas Knits

Christmas knits, Christmas knits, Christmas time is nigh.
I hope you planned your knitting well, and started in July.
Gloves and mitts, socks that fit, scarves and sweaters, too.
Lots of warm and wooly things made by me for you.

Digging through my stash looking for that one last skein.
I’ve finished half a sock, need more yarn that’s the same.
I’ve made it half way through – a little left to go.
Heel flap, that’s done, and gusset, check. Kitchener up that toe!

Christmas knits, Christmas knits, Christmas time is nigh.
I hope you planned your knitting well, and started in July.
Gloves and mitts, socks that fit, scarves and sweaters, too.
Lots of warm and wooly things made by me for you.

A day or two ago I cast on a new shawl
With cables, fair isle, lace, intarsia blocks and all.
I’ve lots of gifts to knit with Christmas my deadline.
Will someone tell me what to do to buy me some more time?

Christmas knits, Christmas knits, Christmas time is nigh.
I hope you planned your knitting well, and started in July.
Gloves and mitts, socks that fit, scarves and sweaters, too.
Lots of warm and wooly things made by me for you.

CraftLife is taking a winter break, and will return in February, 2012!

Ebenezer Scrooge opens this week! Tech week is upon us, costumes and props are being worked in, sound and light queues are next in line.

Pearl Fryar is a master of topiary sculpture. You can learn about his story in the documentary “A Man Named Pearl”. You can check out the trailer at that link, too.

One of my favorite holiday movies, and where I first learned about Hot Buttered Rum, is White Christmas. Bing Crosby and Christmas music are synonymous in my house.

Hot Buttered Rum

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup unsalted butter

2 cups vanilla ice cream

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp all spice

1/2 tsp clove

1. Combine sugar, brown sugar and butter in a saucepan over low heat until butter is melted.

2. In a large bowl, beat ice cream, sugar/butter mixture, and spices at medium speed until smooth. Store in refrigerator up to 2 weeks, or in freezer for 1 month.

3. To serve, fill a mug 1/4 – 1/3 with mix, add one ounce (2 Tbsp) of rum and fill the rest of the way with boiling water. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

It’s giveaway time! Leave a comment in this post between now and 11:59pm CST on 12/1/11 to enter to win a copy of the Hello Kitty Online Premium Edition. The random number generator will be used to chose TWO winners, each of whom will receive a copy of the Premium Edition, which comes with $15 worth of in-game points to shop and spend as you play, an exclusive virtual pet to follow you around and assist on quests, and 2 Hello Kitty Online collector’s postcards. (System requirements include Windows 2000/XP/Vista (32 bit) and 512 MB RAM minimum)

Speaking of giveaways, Janeen of the Clothed in the Lamb podcast just had a 1 year podiversary giveaway, and I was the lucky winner! I’m looking forward to casting on the Gypsy tank with my winnings.

Frog that sweater
Then re-knit it better
Take out your sticks
Get right to the fix

When a problem comes along
You must rip it
If you want to fix what went wrong
You must rip it
One sleeve is far to long
You must rip it

Now rip it
Frog it back
Back it up
Don’t be slack
You must go backwards
To move ahead
When you detect it
It’s not too late
To rip it

Rip it good

If you mess up the design
You must rip it
If you put in a life line
Then you can rip it
It will look better in time
If you just rip it

I say rip it
Rip it good
I say rip it
Rip it good

Frog that sweater
Then re-knit it better
Take out your sticks
Get right to the fix

When a problem comes along
You must rip it
If you want to fix what went wrong
You must rip it
One sleeve is far to long
You must rip it

Now rip it
Frog it back
Back it up
Don’t be slack
You must go backwards
To move ahead
When you detect it
It’s not too late
To rip it
Frog it back
Back it up
Don’t be slack
You must go backwards
To move ahead
When you detect it
It’s not too late
To rip it
Rip it good

Put on the teapot, or fill up the french press, whichever is your preference. Let’s take a few minutes to chat and just catch up on what has been going on lately, what do you say?

I’ve been moonlighting with Ebenezer Scrooge quite a bit lately. If you’re in the Dallas area this holiday season, come on down to Pocket Sandwich Theatre for a musical re-telling of a Christmas classic in a casual dinner/theatre atmosphere.

If you get an opportunity to take a class with the ever-fabulous Ysolda Teague, don’t let it pass you by! Her “Perfect Sweater” class was wonderful.

Many thanks to the staff of The Woolie Ewe for hosting the “Perfect Sweater” class. The day of the class was the first time I visited this LYS, and I have already been back a second time. 🙂

I’m very excited about spinning up my new Icelandic roving. Here’s what wikipedia has to say about Icelandic sheep. Any ideas what I should knit with my

Very focused on learning short rows during our train ride.

finished product?

If you’re looking for something out-of-the-ordinary to do in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, why not give the Grapevine Vintage Railroad a try?

11-11-11 marks the arrival of a video game for which I have been waiting years. And I’m not exaggerating. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Tease me if you must, but I am taking the day off of work on November 11 to celebrate. This game is also the inspiration for Adam’s special request knitting project. Any ideas what it might be?

I caught Christmas trying to sneak up on me this week. What was I thinking, getting distracted by all of the lingering hot weather?! The truth is, it will be here before we know it, and it looks like “full steam ahead” for me until the end of the year. Even though by schedule will be bursting at the seams, I will do my best to keep to a regular podcasting schedule if at all possible.

The Pocket Sandwich Theatre is presenting the 30th consecutive year of Ebenezer Scrooge, a musical based on the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol”. I’m very pleased to be able to participate in the capacity of Music Director.

Lyrics to this week’s song (based on the song “B*tch” by Meredith Brooks)

St*tch

I knit a lot today
At the office, in the store,
And the subway.
I smiled at you, but you look at me like maybe I’m a great big oddity,
Some strange mystery.
Yesterday you spied
What I was doing, and you flagrantly implied
I did not look like what you think a knitter looks like.
Will this always be my fate?
It’s time to educate you,
And set the record straight.

‘Cause I stitch, I’m a mother
I’m your sister or your brother
Hand-knit items, I make many
I just might be your Granny
I’m a Las Vegas showgirl
I rock the CEO world
I am anybody that you’ve ever known

So take my sticks and string –
Put them together, I can make most anything.
Baby booties, scarves, and sweaters, or a life-sized knitted royal family
So what, if I decide to make
A toilet paper cozy?

‘Cause I stitch, I’m a mother
I’m your sister or your brother
Hand-knit items, I make many
I just might be your Granny
I’m a Las Vegas showgirl
I rock the CEO world
I am anybody that you’ve ever known

So if you think you’ve got me figured out
You’ve got another think coming
I think it’s cool you try to relate
But I am anyone at all

‘Cause I stitch, I’m a mother
I’m your sister or your brother
Hand-knit items, I make many
I just might be your Granny
I’m a Las Vegas showgirl
I rock the CEO world
I am anybody that you’ve ever known

Yeah I stitch, drive the carpool,
Coach some football at the high school
Funky hip-hop I devour
Sing opera in the shower
I’m a gamer, I wait tables
I help where I am able
I am anybody that you’ve ever known

As I was putting together this week’s episode, I started to notice a not-so-craft-related theme emerging. Home. Not necessarily my home of today, but the familiar territory of my youth, and place where most of my family still resides. When I go there for a visit, I am “going home for a visit” – hence, this week’s title. I hope you enjoy!

Monkey Bread

3 cans biscuits

1 cup sugar

3 Tbsp. cinnamon

1 cup light brown sugar

1 stick butter

Cut biscuits into quarters with scissors.

Shake biscuits quarters in a bag with sugar and cinnamon.

Layer cinnamon/sugar coated biscuit quarters in a greased tube pan and sprinkle chopped nuts, raisins, or both between layers if desired.

(Recipe by Ophelia M. Leitzsey from the “Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Newberry, South Carolina” cookbook)

I had a great time talking to Stephanie about her artwork. If you’d like to get in contact with her, just shoot an email to treacleandink@hotmail.com and put “STEPHANIE” in the subject line. And, if you want to take a peek at her paintings, they will be available during the month of October in the Treacle And Ink Etsy shop. Want to learn more about that Christmas tree farm she mentioned? Head over to Shine and Lee’s Christmas Trees. That’s my mom and dad!

Congratulations to Redsknits for winning the iMake giveaway! If you haven’t done so already, be sure to check out Martine’s podcast and blog, iMake.

My Ishbel has been completed! (And with much pride, I might add.) They say that pride comes before a fall, but I hope that is not the case since I am currently working the stockinette section of the Holden Shawlette by Mindy Wilks. And if you’d like to get a first-hand look at her inspiration, head to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.

Got any extra fiber? As if “extra fiber” wasn’t an oxymoron. I’m looking for something to put on my drop spindle. The majority of my meagre stash is up for grabs, if you’re looking for a trade. I’m adding more things bit-by-bit, so if you don’t see anything you like, try back later.

Lyrics to this week’s song (based on the song “Part of your World” form Disney’s The Little Mermaid)

The weather man asserts that tomorrow will be the last of the 100+ degree days. There is only one thing I can say to that. Hallelujah!! The temperature drop can not come soon enough, but by now, you must be as tired of hearing about my weather as I am of sweating through it, so on to the show notes!

If you’re dealing with CKS and would like some online help www.Ravelry.com is a great place to start.

Lyrics to this week’s song (based on the song “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse)

A Knitting Intervention

They tried to make me go to rehab,
Because I knit, knit, knit.
Once I cast on, I’m so far gone
I can’t quit, quit, quit.
I ain’t got the time
I’ve got really long queue line.
They tried to make me go to rehab,
But I won’t go, go, go.

I’d rather be at home all day,
Making hats and sweaters, knitting away.
‘Cause there’s nothing, there’s nothing they can teach me
That I can’t learn from reading E.Z.
Yeah, I think that it’s a drag
That they want to take my project bag.

They tried to make me go to rehab,
Because I knit, knit, knit.
Once I cast on, I’m so far gone
I can’t quit, quit, quit.
I ain’t got the time
I’ve got really long queue line.
They tried to make me go to rehab,
But I won’t go, go, go.

I know all week the dishes haven’t been clean,
And the house is the messiest you’ve ever seen.
I’m gonna, I’m gonna lose my stitch count,
If I stop to do other things in between.
Can’t I hire a maid?
Just until this scarf gets made.

They tried to make me go to rehab,
Because I knit, knit, knit.
Once I cast on, I’m so far gone
I can’t quit, quit, quit.

Remember the socks I made you last year?
And the gloves and sweaters? Baby, it’s quite clear.
I don’t hear, I don’t hear your complaining
About all those gifts you hold so dear.
I know it’s time to go.
Just let me finish one more row

They tried to make me go to rehab,
Because I knit, knit, knit.
Once I cast on, I’m so far gone
I can’t quit, quit, quit.
I ain’t got the time
I’ve got really long queue line.
They tried to make me go to rehab,
But I won’t go, go, go.

Like this:

August 4, 2011

I may be taking a brief hiatus from podcasting, but things are still happening here behind the scenes of CraftLife, the result of which is …(drum roll)… the first CraftLife contest!

I have finally finished spinning up that kool-aide dyed fiber I shared with you all those episodes ago, but I’ve run into a bit of a snag. What should I call it? This yarn ranges the spectrum of bright reds to pale pinks, and will be offered up for sale in my Etsy shop during the month of October to raise money for breast cancer research.
Here’s a peek at the as yet unnamed skein:

Drop Spindle Spun Yarn In The “???” Colorway:

If you have a brilliant idea for a colorway name for this, please share it in the CraftLife group thread on Ravelry. If you have more than one brilliant idea, share that as well! There is no limit to the number of ideas you may submit.

This contest will be open until August 16th at 11:59pm, CST. I’ll choose my favorite colorway name from the suggestions, and announce the winner in Episode 11.

The winner of this contest will receive one skein of Corntastic by Kollage Yarns in the Garnet colorway. This is 105 yards of machine washable and dry-able 100% corn fiber. I had originally purchased this yarn to use in a project that I have since decided to take in a different direction. It has been wound into a center-pull ball, but I can certainly re-skein it if the winner prefers.

Tell ‘Em What They’ll Win!

Thanks for offering up your suggestions! I can’t wait to see what all of you creative-types come up with. 🙂